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Associate Degree Nurse Program Overview

Mission Statement

The Community College of Rhode Island is the state's only public associate degree registered nursing program with seamless options to become a certified nursing assistant and licensed practical nurse. We provide students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for developing effective communication, critical thinking, clinical reasoning and teamwork/collaboration skills. Building upon a rich tradition of teaching excellence and high academic and collegial standards, our faculty and staff are committed to developing a strong, responsive, and diverse nursing workforce aimed at advancing the health of our communities, state, and nation.

Core Organizing Concepts

  • Patient-centered Care
  • Nursing Judgment (Evidence-based Practice)
  • Safety & Quality Improvement
  • Professional Identity
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Informatics and Technology

Program Philosophy

Nursing is an art and science reflective of and responsive to an ever-changing healthcare environment. Nursing professionals utilize clinical judgment, quality improvement, informatics, teamwork and collaboration to provide safe, culturally-competent, patient-centered care. The goal of the professional nurse is to protect, promote, and restore comfort and health throughout the lifespan.

Education as a life-long, interactive process provides the opportunity for the adult learner to develop personally, socially, and intellectually. The adult learner’s previous life experiences and knowledge provide a foundation for acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) prepares the graduate for entry into professional nursing practice. As a registered nurse generalist the ADN graduate leads, manages, and provides direct care to individuals, families, and groups across various healthcare environments.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing degree, the graduate will:

  1. Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse patients across the lifespan. (safety and patient-centered care)
  2. Apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning to make evidence-based decisions. (nursing judgment)
  3. Implement established quality measures to improve patient care. (quality improvement and safety)
  4. Participate in collaborative relationships with members of the interprofessional team, the patient, family and/or designee to achieve quality patient-centered care. (teamwork and collaboration)
  5. Utilize information systems and patient care technology to communicate, implement best nursing practices, minimize risk, and support clinical decision making. (informatics)
  6. Demonstrate leadership skills in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse patients. (professional identity)
  7. Exhibit professional behaviors within legal and ethical practice frameworks. (professional identity)

Program Outcomes

ACEN Accreditation

The Associate Degree nursing program at the Community College of Rhode Island at the Knight, Liston, Newport and Flanagan campuses located in Warwick, Providence, Newport and Lincoln, Rhode Island, is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000   https://www.acenursing.org/

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

Last evaluation visit: October 22-24, 2019; Next evaluation visit: Fall 2027.

Associate's Degree Nursing Program Completion 
Rates 2020 2021 2022

Program Completion in 4 Semsters

* Ran semester 3 in the summer

72.0% 55.0%* 61.0%
Associate's Degree Nursing Licensure Data
Rates 2020 2021 2022
NCLEX Pass Rate 82.52% 86.63% 83.68%
Associate's Degree Nursing Job Placement Data
Rates 2020 2021 2022
Job Placement Rates 94.0% 100% 91.0%

The Community College of Rhode Island is the state's only practical nursing program and associate degree nursing program. We provide students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for intellectual, professional and personal growth within the nursing program. Building upon a rich tradition of teaching excellence and high academic and collegial standards, our diverse faculty and staff are devoted to fostering creativity, critical thinking skills and competencies in nursing practice. Our high academic standards, while necessary for career success, are responsive to needs of the community, the state of Rhode Island, and the profession of Nursing.